Incisional Negative Pressure Wound Therapy: An Effective Tool for Major Limb Amputation and Amputation Revision Site Closure

Nichole E. Zayan, Julie M. West, Steven A. Schulz, Sumanas W. Jordan, Ian L. Valerio*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

13 Scopus citations

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate our institutional experience of incisional negative pressure wound therapy (iNPWT) applied immediately after major limb amputation closure or amputation revision closure. Approach: A retrospective review was performed on 25 patients who underwent major limb amputation or amputation revision and had iNPWT placed intraoperatively upon incision closure. Results: Twenty-one patients underwent lower extremity amputation and four underwent upper extremity amputation. Seventeen were primary amputations and eight were amputation revisions. No patients developed dehiscence, seroma, or hematoma. One patient developed a surgical site infection (4%) that was treated with oral antibiotics. The average time to eligibility for prosthetic fitting for lower extremity amputations was 6.3 weeks. Innovation: Amputee patients have increased wound healing demands that can impact prosthetic wear and ambulation status. Stump incisions are located at the distal end of their extremities and often are in areas that have had prior surgical procedures performed. Thus, blood supply to the incision site may not be optimal. iNPWT is an effective incision management technique to promote healing and decrease postoperative complications in this patient population, which can lead to increased mortality. Conclusion: iNPWT is an effective technique of minimizing wound complications in the amputee and should be considered in this high-risk patient population.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)368-373
Number of pages6
JournalAdvances in Wound Care
Volume8
Issue number8
DOIs
StatePublished - Aug 2019

Keywords

  • amputation
  • iNPWT
  • negative pressure
  • surgical site infection

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine
  • Emergency Medicine

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